Surgical treatment of tumors in the newborn

With the exception of hemangiomas, neoplasms occur in newborn infants once per 15,000 births. These tumors are mostly derived from embryonic mesenchymal or neural crest tissues and consists of teratomas, neuroblastomas, and tumors of the kidneys and soft tissues. Many of these neoplasms are very malignant in older children, while the same tumor type in the newborn is generally well circumscribed and has a benign biological behavior. Therefore, the surgical treatment should be conservative. The operative is conducted with attention to the minute details that support the metabolic needs of the infant. The management of specific tumors encountered in the neonate are described.